My project CC on a budget....for now
 

Picked one of these up cheap without electronics and used some things I had laying around. Novak rooster crawler, TQ3, old gp3300 cells.

I've done a few mods like flip the knuckles to get extra clearance, redrilled the front upper link to clock axle and fix steering issue. Installed rear lockout for the steering and added weight to the wheels.

I like it so far and am waiting for holmes to get the 454 motors back in stock. This thing is pretty gutless even with 7 cells. I've got all the metal upgrades and cvds waiting to go in.

Let me know what you think.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...raxclimber.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...axclimber1.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...axclimber2.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...axclimber3.jpg

12in+ wheelbase coming soon along with true 2.2s and mo power8)

Forgot the servo I had is a JR 126mg servo

and the flex shots

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...axclimber5.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...axclimber4.jpg

Nice im lovin the body

454's? Not much of a budget build, hahaa, just kidding, looks good man!

Thats why I added the...for now:lol:

Everything else I had, even the paint.

I like the paint job, looks sweet. Sounds like your off to a good start. The 12 in. wheelbase will make a huge improvement. 2.2 tires are also a great improvement. "thumbsup"

Nice!!! 7Cell Sub-Cs? What is the runtime on those :D:) 2-3 hrs? :) I never thought you could fit 7 sub-c's on the axle over the servo. I was thinking bout 2/3A's :) You had nice parts laying around! :)
Two questions tho:
1. Define: Clock the axle ... what does that mean, how do u do it :P
2. What was the steering issue?

Not sure on the runtime, have yet to run it down.:lol: I could fit another sub-C on the front for 8 cells but the rooster probably wouldn't like that.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0524.jpg


As far as the steering look at your front axle, notice the steering knuckles are pointing down towards the front. That makes your steering work harder than it needs to because it's steering somewhat into the ground.

To fix the problem I drilled the front upper link frame mount 1/4in behind it's original location. Drilled the metal the same size as the screw, then stepped down a size when I got into the plastic. Now the steering knuckles are pointed forward. Makes my not so great servo work better.

Got started on the stretch. Right at 12in now. Plan on doing bent links on the bottom. I used 6/32 allthread and traxxas rod ends. Will be putting brakeline over links once they are what I want.

Still haven't figured out the shocks yet. Either stock shocks mounted on the upper links or some longer buggy or truck shocks mounted on the axle.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0527.jpg

Got the links done and it seems to work great. Just a little more flex than a 12oz can.

I moved the lower link axle mount to the other side(closer to tire).
I drilled a new upper shock mount as far back as possible.
The shocks are from the rear of an associated T4 truck.
Instead of screws to mount the bottom of the shock I used a ball stud and put a long rpm ball end on the shock.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0530.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0528.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0529.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0532.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0531.jpg



Next step is probably the power issue. It's like a v8 running on 5 cyl now.:-(

Did a little more on the suspension and added 2.2s.

On the front suspension I moved the upper link back to the stock position and made bent lower links that are mounted on the outside of the mount on the axle. This put the wheelbase at just over 12in.

I used duratrax extra firm springs on the stock front shocks and black associated springs on the rear.

Ground clearance is 3 1/8in.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0536.jpg

The tires are proline moabs on hpi wheels with a little weight added. Picked these up used super cheap. The tires seemed to help the stall but hurt what little power I had.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0535.jpg

I've got a used traxxas evx speed control on it's way so I can get 12 cells on this thing and see what it can do. It'll already make lines my axial can't.

Loooking forward to the EVX getting installed :P Give us a report on how it is ;) I can try evx2 on mine, whenever i get it :P :)
Btw , you gonn put the other 5 cells on the rear axle, i guess :)

that look pimp!

do you know the part number on the traxxas rod ends or waht vehical they come off of:?:

The EVX will be here Mon. or Tues, I'll update when it's installed.

As far as the batteries, I haven't figured that out yet. I have a couple of the small packs with 2/3a cells, or I may put 8 sub C cells on the front and 4 on the rear for weight.

This was the package I bought. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJJ81&P=ML

I got the EVX installed today. I also tore down a couple 2/3a batteries I had and mounted all 12:shock: on the front for weight.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...trax12cell.jpg

I'm having problems now when it's turned and climbing under a load it will glitch and shut down for a sec. Is it time to install that cc bec I bought?

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0577.jpg

I win for biggest electronics:mrgreen:

Look'in good. Thats alot of cells on the front axle. A truck body like mine with your same paint sceme would look sick. "thumbsup"

Ive been running mine on a EVX2 for 4 months now. Though I went a completely different approach then you and mounted the links and axles under my stock Clod chassis and body and made a scaler out of it. I run full sized Sub C packs for now, will be tossing them soon and getting a matched set of 2s Lipos soon. I hate dealing with nimh packs ever sice I found the world of lipo.

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...er#post1577071

Just wrote on your thread, and thought the same thing ;)